Covid-19 claimed 723 lives in January

Health experts stress strict implementation of virus-related SOPs

LAHORE:

January proved to be a perilous month with respect to the coronavirus pandemic in Punjab with the disease claiming 723 lives and inflicting 19,407 people.

A new type of coronavirus was reportedly identified in the province and most of the critically ill patients admitted to hospitals were above 50 years of age.

Health specialists said the situation was still alarming and there was a need to strictly implement the preventive standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Despite the health department’s efforts to bring the spread of the virus under control, the rate of deaths and confirmed cases of Covid-19 remained high during the first month of 2021.

On average 500 to 600 patients of coronavirus were admitted to hospitals in the province daily. The figure for the last 24 hours was 425. The total number of confirmed cases reported during the first and second waves of coronavirus in the province has reached 157,353.

During last 24 hours, 20 deaths from the infection were confirmed in the province. The casualties raised the total death toll to 4,736, including 723 during the past month. The Punjab health department has conducted over 2.9 million tests for Covid-19 since the outbreak of the pandemic, while 142,651 patients have recovered.

"We are not seeing a change in the situation of Covid-19 as the number of patients is increasing and the death toll is also high,” Young Doctors Association (YDA) Punjab President Dr Salman Haseeb said while speaking to The Express Tribune.

A health department official said, "Although the local administrations are active in Punjab and 40 shops were sealed in Lahore today over violation of the SOPs, while show cause notices have been issued to the managements of 12 schools, the authorities appear helpless on the issue.”

According to Chairman Corona Advisory Committee Dr Mahmood Shoukat, the hospitals are receiving patients in critical condition but a majority of people suffering from the disease are undergoing treatment at home

“There is varying information about the increase in death toll and we are preparing a report on the current situation regarding coronavirus,” he added.

"More deaths are being reported in Lahore where around 370 patients are present in Mayo Hospital. The condition of most of them is critical. The Punjab health department should hold an inquiry into the increase in fatalities in hospitals where patients have complained of negligence and poor facilities,” said an official of Mayo Hospital.

Meanwhile, concerns about a new type of coronavirus are rising and patients who had a history of foreign travel were identified a few days ago.

"Four people suffering from the new type of coronavirus were identified. Their samples were sent to the National Institute of Health (NIH) for tests and we are waiting for their report but it is right that the type is dangerous. However, the overall situation regarding coronavirus is under control and the number of patients in Punjab is decreasing,” claimed Punjan Health Department spokesman Sayed Hamad Raza.

According to sources in the department, around Rs14 billion was allocated by the Punjab government last year to counter the coronavirus.

"Almost all hospitals were given funds to cope with coronavirus and three main quarantine centres were set up in Lahore, Dera Ghazi Khan and Multan. Besides hospitals, hostels of universities were also converted into quarantine centres. Now we have maximum facilities, including ventilators, but there is a need to be vigilant as schools, colleges and universities across the province reopen on Monday,” a senior official of Punjab health department said.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 1^st, 2021.